Prodigy (rapper)

Prodigy

American rapper (1974–2017)

Birth name	Albert Johnson
Also known as
Born	(1974-11-02)November 2, 1974 Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Origin
Died	June 20, 2017(2017-06-20) (aged 42) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, songwriter, author
Instrument(s)

Prodigy (born Albert Johnson; November 2, 1974 – June 20, 2017) was an American rapper, songwriter, and author. He was best known as one half of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep, alongside Havoc.

Early Life

Prodigy was born in Hempstead, New York, and was raised in Queens. He came from a musical family; his grandfather, Budd Johnson, and his great-uncle, Keg Johnson, were both notable jazz musicians. His mother, Fatima Frances Collins, was a member of the Crystals, a popular girl group in the 1960s.

Career

Mobb Deep

In the early 1990s, Prodigy teamed up with Havoc to form the duo Mobb Deep. They released their debut album, Juvenile Hell, in 1993. However, it was their second album, The Infamous (1995), that brought them widespread acclaim and commercial success. The album featured the hit singles "Shook Ones (Part II)" and "Survival of the Fittest".

Mobb Deep continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including Hell on Earth (1996), Murda Muzik (1999), and Infamy (2001).

Solo Career

Prodigy also pursued a solo career, releasing his debut solo album, H.N.I.C., in 2000. The album was well-received and included the single "Keep It Thoro". He released several more solo projects, including Return of the Mac (2007) and H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 (2008).

Writing

In addition to his music career, Prodigy was an author. He published his autobiography, My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy, in 2011. The book provided an in-depth look at his life, career, and the challenges he faced.

Personal Life

Prodigy struggled with sickle cell anemia throughout his life, a condition he was diagnosed with at a young age. He was an advocate for raising awareness about the disease.

Death

Prodigy died on June 20, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to complications related to his sickle cell anemia. His death was a significant loss to the hip hop community, and he is remembered for his contributions to the genre.

Legacy

Prodigy's influence on hip hop is profound. As a member of Mobb Deep, he helped shape the sound of East Coast hip hop in the 1990s. His gritty lyrics and distinctive voice left a lasting impact on fans and fellow artists alike.

Discography

Solo Albums

• H.N.I.C. (2000)
• Return of the Mac (2007)
• H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 (2008)
• H.N.I.C. 3 (2012)
• The Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation) (2017)

With Mobb Deep

• Juvenile Hell (1993)
• The Infamous (1995)
• Hell on Earth (1996)
• Murda Muzik (1999)
• Infamy (2001)
• Amerikaz Nightmare (2004)
• Blood Money (2006)
• The Infamous Mobb Deep (2014)

Bibliography

• My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy (2011)

See Also

• Mobb Deep
• Havoc (musician)
• Sickle cell anemia
• East Coast hip hop